The Northern Lights are an incredible natural phenomenon that many of us would jump at the chance to witness, just once in our lifetime.
But if a trip to Iceland or Norway to glimpse the Aurora Borealis isn’t in your budget, there’s a solution: the Outer Hebrides.
The Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland has little to no light pollution, meaning its one of the best spots to see the lights in the UK.
And, the Outer Hebrides have just been named by National Geographic as one of the best places in the world to visit in 2025.
Named alongside just 24 other destinations, including Cerrado, Brazil, and Kanazawa, Japan, the travel publication cited the ‘silvery beaches, whisky distilleries, wildflower-bedecked machair grasslands, and neolithic monuments’ as reasons to visit.
The Isle of Harris, which sits on the largest island of the Outer Hebrides alongside Lewis (the two actually share the same land mass), is a paradise of piercing blue waters and white sand beaches — largely untouched by hordes of tourists.
With its stunning rugged mountains and breath-taking coastline, it would make a perfect holiday at any time of year, but go there in autumn to give yourself the best chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Here’s everything you need to know about this lesser-travelled area of bonnie Scotland.
Beaches on the Isle of Harris
This large Scottish Island is perhaps most well known for its stunning beaches —the most notable being Luskentyre Beach.
Situated on the north coast, not only does it have picturesque white sand and turquoise waters but you can also see across to the neighbouring island of Taransay.
The area boasts tonnes of wildlife to spot too, such as dolphins, seals, otters and eagles.
It’s such a beautiful location that visitors struggle to believe it’s in the UK.
Tripadvisor reviewer Cyd J branded it ‘a slice of the Maldives off the coast of the Isle of Harris’ while others branded it ‘stunning’ and ‘spectacular’ with ‘pristine sand’ that left them ‘spellbound’.
Even further north on the island, you’ll find Hushinish Beach which is tucked in a bay on the Western side.
Other beaches that are also worth a visit include Seilebost Beach and Horgabost Beach – you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Things to do on the Isle of Harris
With a population of less than 21,000 people, you may think you’ll be starved of things to do on this stunning island, but you’d be wrong.
Steeped in history, you can spend your days exploring ancient sites while waiting for nightfall to catch a glimpse of the Aurora Borealis.
A stand out attraction is the Calanais Standing Stones — very similar to Stonehenge. The large stones jut out of the ground in a cross formation and are believed to have been erected 5000 years ago, making them older than the Pyramids of Giza.
It’s also a sight where the Northern Lights have been spotted, so if you watch the sunset here, you just might just get lucky.
Perhaps what the island is most famous for is its Harris Tweed (hence the name). The shop is a must-visit, tucked at the mouth of the harbour in Tarbert.
If this interests you, you’ll want to travel to Gearrannan Blackhouse Village where you can see people actually weaving the Harris Tweed. Of course there’s a gift shop and cafe where you can make the most of your visit.
The Iron Age Village is a relatively new find in grand scheme of things, only being discovered at Bosta in 1993. Howling gales revealed the remains which were quickly excavated and the Bosta Iron Age House is now open for visitors.
Tarbert happens to be the main cultural hub of the island and the largest village, and alongside a beautiful loch where you can go kayaking, it’s home to the award-winning Isle of Harris Distillery. It’s worth visiting for the shop and café alone, but you can also take one of the daily tours to find out about how it all works (and enjoy a dram or two of course).
Leverburgh is the second largest village with all the basics you might need throughout your stay, while Northton is home to the visitor centre to teach you more about the history of the island.
For a true slice of island life, the minute village of Hushinish has just four homes which overlook the beach we suggested you visit earlier.
Where to stay on the Isle of Harris
Depending on your tastes — maybe you like to splash out or you like to book a room on a budget — the Isle of Harris has accommodation for all price points.
For example, No. 5 Drinishader, a 4-star hostel in a cottage, offers twin rooms for £65 per night, located in the small seaside village, or if you’re a solo traveller you can pick a hostel bed for just £24.
On Airbnb you can find tiny homes for £89 per night (essentially a glamping pod with underfloor heating), just 10 minutes from Tabert. But most Airbnbs for the area sit at about £100 to £150 per night.
On Booking.com there’s also a range of options including cottages you can rent from £160 a night, to private challets costing £300 a night.
For more luxury options there’s the likes of Flodabay Farm, a B&B with an exclusive chalet overlooking the water. This will set you back at least £550 for three nights, or £1,250 for a whole week.
How to get to the Isle of Harris
There are a few options when it comes to transport to the island, including travelling by air, sea or even train.
By air, you’ll want to start at either Glasgow, Edinburgh or Inverness airport and fly Loganair to Stornoway Airport.
This is a 45-minute flight and it’ll set you back about £234 for a return ticket in November.
You’ll then be able to drive to whichever town you’re staying in or use public transport.
Going by sea gives you the option of whale and dolphin watching as you go. Caledonian Macbrayne ferries sail from Skye to Tarbert and it’s advisable to book this beforehand.
You can also get near to Harris by rail. The Scotrail network will take you to Kyle of Lochalsh or Mallaig where there is a connecting bus service to the ferry terminal on the Isle of Skye.
This article was originally published September 5 2024.
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